Category Archives: translations / prijevodi

The Brave Adventures of Hlapich the Apprentice

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My new translation of Čudnovate zgode šegrta Hlapića by Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić is now available as a paperback on Amazon sites worldwide.

Brave Adventures of Hlapich the Apprentice - English translation

The original book was published in 1913. It was Ivana’s first novel and is considered as the first ever children’s novel in Croatian.

cover of the 1913 edition

You can view this very first edition online here

However, I did not use this first edition, or any other past published edition, as the basis for my translation. I investigated the history of this beloved children’s story that is still read in schools today in Croatia. Since I had translated Ivana’s most famous work Priče iz davnine (Croatian Tales of Long Ago) in 2024, I realised that editors and publishers in the past made changes, sometimes quite radical, to authors’ original manuscripts. And so this was also the case with Hlapić. I discovered that Ivana’s first manuscript was changed and that every subsequent edition was slightly different. I found all this information using the comprehensive book ‘Romani‘ by Vinko Brešić, Berislav Majhut and Sanja Lovrić Kralj. In this edition they analysed every major edition of Hlapić and documented all the changes made over the decades. This was the basis for my translation.

My new translation is available as a paperback book on Amazon worldwide.

Ivana’s tale of the brave shoemaker’s apprentice has been translated dozens of times into many languages ranging from German to Persian, from Esperanto to Chinese and yet only once before into English and that was way back in 1971. That edition is no longer in print and is difficult to find. Therefore I chose to produce an all-new version for the English-speaking public so that it can be enjoyed worldwide.

The story of Hlapić has been the inspiration for dozens, if not hundreds, of theatre productions, school shows, cartoons, comics, as well as films, the best of which is undoubtedly the 2013 movie adaptation by director Silvije Petranović…

For my edition I made a short youtube clip using the illustrations created for my book…

The Brave Adventures of Hlapich the Apprentice is available as a paperback on Amazon worldwide (ISBN: 979-8250727853). Here are a couple direct links:

https://amzn.eu/d/02U1JMs7

https://a.co/d/0in7YXY9

https://amzn.eu/d/01s6Vuu3

“So, sit down nicely on the doorstep and read on!”

The History of Dubrovnik’s Tramway

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To celebrate the 115th anniversary of the Dubrovnik tramway a major exhibition has been organised by Dubrovnik Museums in the Rector’s Palace.

The accompanying catalogue tells the tramway’s story from the initial concept up until the recent full restoration of a handful of tramcars and trailers that have survived. Over 300+ pages it details every possible aspect of its history from the original blueprints to the tickets, to the signs and even the conductors’ apparel. This is surely the most comprehensive collection dedicated to one of the city’s most memorable periods.

It was my honour to be the English language translator for the exhibition panels and catalogue for such an iconic page of Dubrovnik’s history.

The exhibition is open to the public from 27th August 2025 until 31st March 2026.

Well worth a visit!

More info: https://www.dumus.hr/en

Ogulin Tourist Board – visitor’s guide

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The latest visitor’s guide to the town of Ogulin and its surroundings features everything you need for a trip to the Homeland of Fairy Tales. This handy new bilingual brochure (40 pages) is packed with what to see and do and where to stay and eat in the birth place of Croatia’s best loved children’s writer Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić. All four seasons are covered in texts written by Sabina Gvozdić and translated by myself.

This essential guide was published by the Ogulin Tourist Board

Rijeka – grad koji teče, monografija

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All-new monograph dedicated to the city of Rijeka.

This is the new monograph highlighting the city of Rijeka. Written by Edi Jurković designed by Branko Lenić, with the superb photography of Petar Fabijan, edited by Val publishing’s director Dragan Ogurlić and with my translation. It presents everything about the “city that flows”.

It features all the vital elements of Rijeka life from music, fishing, sailing, health, sport, industry, carnival, education and much more….

You can order a copy here and there are copies in many bookshops.

Rijeka, grad koji teče – Rijeka, the city that flows
ISBN: 978-953-8180-35-4
224 pages, hardback, 31cm x 23cm
Published May 2025

Several of Petar Fabijan’s superb photographs were also featured in a short exhibition on Rijeka’s Korzo from 9th-16th June 2025.

Kastav monograph

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In March 2025, the first comprehensive monograph dedicated to the town of Kastav was published.

This exceptional bilingual edition, originally conceived in 2020 and delayed due to global circumstances, features insightful text by Davor Žic and striking modern photography by Petar Fabijan. The book’s distinctive design, premium paper, and specialised printing and finishing techniques further enhance its appeal.

As the English language translator, I am proud to have contributed to this project 🙂

The monograph incorporates meticulously researched archival material to chronicle the town’s history and surrounding area, with these sections printed on exclusive aged-effect paper. Each segment of the book showcases Kastav’s unique character across its past, present and future.

The promotion of the book was held in the hall of the brand new council building in the centre of the town. Local news channels covered the event:

This project stands as a highlight in my portfolio, reinforcing my expertise as the leading English translator in the Rijeka region.

Limited to 800 copies, the book is available for purchase from the publisher, Val’s online bookshop here, and is expected to sell out quickly, so, a second, updated edition may soon be necessary. 🙂

Croatian Tales of Long Ago – new English translation

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My all-new translations of Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić‘s Priče iz davnine was published by Znanje in October 2024.

Croatian Tales of Long Ago

The new book contains all eight of Ivana’s fairy tales that were published in the subsequent Croatian language editions but not in the first. Until now the only English edition that was published in 1924 in London with those first six stories. For my new versions of the stories I used the earliest available Croatian versions of the stories as well as period dictionaries and references to achieve the best translations.

The hardback cover of the first English translations from 1924. These translations were the only English versions available until the new 2024 edition.

Above: 100 years apart. The first English language edition with translations by Fanny S. Copeland, illustrated by Vladimir Kirin, printed in London in 1924 with six stories. Fanny’s translations were the only English versions available until now and the two additional stories were never previously translated in full.

The new edition was illustrated by Manuel Šumberac.
It is an hardback edition with beautiful gold embossing on the front cover 🙂

The 1924 English edition has become a collector’s item and is difficult to find in good condition so I am very pleased to have an original copy in my collection.

The new edition is available in most bookshops in Croatia and of course online from many booksellers.

You can order it online from the following booksellers:

Znanje

vbz

Hoću knjigu

Mozaik knjiga

Školska knjiga

Super knjizara

Croatian Tales of Long Ago – Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić
Publisher: Znanje, Zagreb, 2024
Size: 150 x 228 mm
252 pages
Weight: 0.30 kg
ISBN: 9789535300588


Diana Rosandić Živković – Ćelavi Jež

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Diana Rosandić Živković‘s – ‘Ćelavi Jež’ is now available in a four-language edition:

1) original Croatian by Diana
2) Italian – translated by Vanesa Begić – ‘Il Riccio Calvo’
3) Spanish – translated by Željka Lovrenčić – ‘El Erizo Calvo’
4) English – my translation – ‘The Bald Hedgehog’

This is a charming story for children about a group of forest animals and how they help each other. It is the latest in the dozens of books that the multi-talented author and artist has written and published. The cute illustrations are by Diana, Katarina Kurbatfinski and Mihael Kurbatfinski.

The book was promoted in Rijeka City Library on 19 September 2024 along with a celebration of her 30 years’ of artistic creativity – see Novi List

‘Ćelavi Jež’
ISBN 978-953-57711-5-9
160 pages, 2024.
Self-published by the author.

Božidar Prosenjak – The Mouse

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Božidar Prosenjak – ‘The Mouse’ is the English translation of his charming children’s short story ‘Miš’ about a team of boys who caught a mouse and wanted to keep it. This edition was published by Katarina Zrinski d.o.o (Varaždin). The translation was by Jamie Marich and I was the language editor/proofreader. The excellent illustrations are by Aleksandar Marks.

ISBN: 978-953-236-388-3
December 2023

You can buy a copy here: https://mojaknjiga.hr/the-mouse/

Kašetica magazine for PGŽ

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This is the first English language edition of the attractive Pegeželjac magazine for Primorje-Gorski Kotar County. Inside you can find a lot of useful and interesting information about local products, the specialities of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County and the brand Kašetica – or little wooden crate, which brings together more than 150 producers of indigenous products.

It features the county’s producers of local cheeses, wines, olive oils, prosciutto, fruit and many more delicious produce. Apart from being a brand of PGŽ Kašetica is also a exhibition and sales centre set in a renovated typical littoral house in the old town of Rijeka and inside which numerous events, promotions, tastings, presentations, exhibitions, training and workshops are organised. It is a charming shop of local, healthy produce from around the county by small family farms and craftsmen. Kašetica means “little crate” and visitors can fill up their own bespoke crate with the tasty goodies which is then wrapped for delivery or take away – the perfect gift!

I am proud to have been the translator for such as a green, eco-friendly venture that supports local farms, manufacturers and craftsmen.

You can find more info at: https://www.kasetica.hr/ and https://www.facebook.com/kasetica.primorsko.goranska

House of the Halubje Bell Ringers

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30th April 2024 finally saw the opening of the House of Halubje Bell Ringers in Viškovo. I am extremely proud to have been the sole English translator in this very special project since 2019. If you know about the zvončari – bellringers, then you’ll understand how important they are to the local people of this part of Croatia – so important so that they are protected by UNESCO.

The visitor centre is full of everything related to the bell ringers’ history, customs and costumes and the local culture and traditions. There are interactive installations, models, tools, costumes and there will be workshops, concerts and cultural events.

Attending the opening ceremony were local dignatories, mayors, organisers, and Croatia’s President Zoran Milanović. Of course there was a impressive, mass performance by the Halubje Bell Ringers themselves.

Kuća Halubajskega zvončara https://khz.hr/

Kuća Halubajskega zvončara – House of the Halubje Bell Ringers Facebook